Commentary
Good days, bad days
The second day of practice went well for some, but others really struggled
Originally Published: January 19, 2010
By
Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Tuesday's practice was the first in full pads as the teams prepare for Saturday's East-West Shrine Game (ESPN2, 3 p.m. ET). Here's a quick look at players who had good days, and players who had bad days. And remember, this is just one day out of the whole week, so one day does not make or break a prospect.
RB Javarris James, Miami
James lacks elite physical tools. He's not going to be a home run threat in the NFL, nor is he going to be a team's bell-cow back. Despite all that, James is quickly proving to be the most versatile and instinctive back on the East roster -- and perhaps for both teams. He shows very good patience in allowing his blocks to develop during inside-run drills. He reads the zone-blocking scheme well and displays good burst when a crease opens, as he quickly plants and fires up the field. James has also impressed with his natural route running skills and soft hands as a receiver during passing drills. In a somewhat thin crop of running backs this year, James has a chance to come off the board as early as the fourth round, where he will get a legitimate chance to earn a roster spot as a versatile contributing reserve.
East Team: Good Days
James lacks elite physical tools. He's not going to be a home run threat in the NFL, nor is he going to be a team's bell-cow back. Despite all that, James is quickly proving to be the most versatile and instinctive back on the East roster -- and perhaps for both teams. He shows very good patience in allowing his blocks to develop during inside-run drills. He reads the zone-blocking scheme well and displays good burst when a crease opens, as he quickly plants and fires up the field. James has also impressed with his natural route running skills and soft hands as a receiver during passing drills. In a somewhat thin crop of running backs this year, James has a chance to come off the board as early as the fourth round, where he will get a legitimate chance to earn a roster spot as a versatile contributing reserve.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
- ESPN College Football and NFL Draft Analyst
- Joined ESPN in 2006
- Played quarterback in high school and was a backup QB for the University of Richmond.
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- Report: Hernandez questioned on homicide
- Pats' Gronkowski undergoes back surgery
- Gleason accepts fired radio DJs' apologies
- Johnson: 'I've learned my lesson' from jail
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
2010 East-West Shrine Game
Top prospects hope to impress scouts during East-West Shrine week and in Saturday's game (ESPN2, 3 p.m. ET).
Shrine Game Week
- Scouts Inc.: Shrine Game blog
- East beats West in thriller
- McShay: Day 4 practice buzz
- Scouts Inc.: Day 4 practice blog
- McShay: Day 3 practice buzz
- Scouts Inc.: Day 3 practice blog
- McShay: Day 2 practice buzz
- Scouts Inc.: Day 2 practice blog
- McShay: Day 1 practice buzz
- McShay: Players to watch
- East-West Shrine Game rosters
Video
- Outsiders: Packers run woes done?
- Bowen: How to stop Adrian Peterson
- Schefter: What New York Jets will do at QB
- Kiper: The 5 best offseasons of 2013
- Offseason Grades: AFC | NFC | Kiper on draft

